Seasiders get clear victory in the mistvictory in the mist (From Penarth Times)

Seasiders get clear victory in the mistvictory in the mist

Penarth RFC 22

Castleisland 7 (friendly)

IT was definitely one of those nights.

After 70 minutes at an increasingly fog-bound Athletic Field, Padraig Cronin might very well have converted the try he may or may not have just scored.

Perhaps only the man himself will ever know.

One thing was beyond doubt in this interesting - if largely invisible - friendly against the visitors from County Kerry: the Penarth try-scoring machine is still up and running (and the defence isn't looking bad either).

Fielding a largely full-strength squad and clearly intent on a regular supply of replacements, the Seasiders attacked with relish from the kick-off.

A flowing threequarter movement to the right-hand corner was swiftly recycled left at the breakdown and James Crothers sped in at the opposite end of the try-line after only two minutes.

A searing break from Alun Bonello from the restart seemed to promise more of the same, but the guests had finally located their luggage and donned their tackling boots, so the game settled into a misty stalemate for 25 minutes.

However, the Seasiders were able to reclaim the initiative before half-time with two quick tries.

First a long touch-finder was mauled to the line where Richard Ball dived over, and then a superb Andrew Edwards break from a free kick ended as the scrum half was caught at the line, delivering a perfect scoring pass to replacement Ieuan Moorcraft.

Turning round into more fog 15-0 in the lead, Penarth rolled through the replacements while Castleisland finally got their rucking game going.

The visitors spent fully 15 minutes toiling away in the home 22 without reward before Danny Brookman lifted the siege with a 60m penalty to touch.

The Seasiders then gave an excellent demonstration of Welsh rugby in broken play and it was James Crothers once again who found himself on the end of an inch-perfect pass on the visitors' 10m line, and showed them a clean pair of heels on his way to the posts.

Now Penarth's focus returns to their promotion campaign in Division 4 (SE).

Having only lost three matches this season, they put their 100 per cent record at the Athletic Field up against one of those teams - Llandaff North.

The 32-24 result in November was a major surprise at the time and while the Seasiders have won nine out of ten matches since then, their visitors have only managed four.

Next fixture - Lloyds-TSB Welsh National League, Division 4 (South East)

Saturday, March 26

PENARTH v LLANDAFF NORTH

The Athletic Field, Lavernock Road.

Kick-off 2.30pm.